Shoe-bottom filler piece



A THQMA.

SHOE BOTTOM FILLER PIECE Filed Aug. e, 1928 Patented Feb. 1-7, 1931UNITED STATES PA-f-TaNT-oF-Fica ANDREW THOMA, F CAMBRIIJGE, MASSACCHEMICAL COMPANY,

oF BosToN, cmrsnr'rs HUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 NORTH AMERICAN MASSACHUSETTS,A- GORPORATION OF MASSA- l SHOE-BOTTOM FILLEB PIEQE j Application ledAugusto, 1928. Serial'No. 297,630.

This invention relates particularly to t-he provision of shoe-bottomfiller in permanent sheet-like form and coherent, durable units orpieces of standaidized shapes or areas and volumes as articles ofmanufacture.,l standardized in accordance with the sizes and shapes ofthe shoes or other preferences of the trade and of different shoemanufacturers, and capable of vbeing shipped, stored vand handled andyet ready for instant `use (including treatment if necessary), wheneverand however required for the shoe filling operation. The vpresentapplication is the foundation application of a series, all relating tothis invention considered broadly, and disclosesand claims the inventiongenerally, which consists, generically or broadly stated, of thepredetermined or standardized pieces or u nits explained, eachcontaining a predetermined quantity-ofliller material required to fillthe shoe-bottom cavity, and av predetermined `contour less in size andshape than. the

cavity, but greater in thickness than the depth of v said cavity, 'saidlpieces being spreadable in use lin whatever direction required to fillthe cavity properly, but coinpacted, supported and retained sufficientlyas a whole to be stable and shape-maintaining under commercialconditions of handling and shipping prior to use. To the latter end thepieces have durable, non-sticky, unified exteriors for self-preservationduring transportation and storage, but both as to interior and exteriortheir structure and com osition is subject to wide variation. In th epresentapplication I have not undertaken to setv the many inafter aparticular s and particularly. in applicaon one or both sides, besidescertain other less prominent features.

The primary cheapen the filling with the'expensive for preparing andElastic, bulk filler in fi process byv doing away machines now requiredapplying the. common,

y providing, as articles of manufacture, the ller units ready-made orself-contained and durable in quantity dition, so that the former skill,time, and expense are largely eliminated, as all the 01p erator has todo e shoe cavity, first if required. For McKay shoe manufacture my'invention opens the way vto the practicable use of the same spreadableller which is to place the piece-in t has always heretofore beenrestricted to welti shoe manufacture.

The broad invention consists of the standl ardized units or as a layerwhich and compacted as a whole to be shape-sustaining andself-maintaining, able, self-shaping and adhesive when laid in theshoe-bottom 'and subjected to levelling pressure or to the usualpressure of the spat# ula in the hands of the operator, and externallydurable, non-adhesive and handleable for shipping, storage and usualcommercial handling. able and'non-shrinkable,or in other words is piecesexplained, each made object is to simplify andshape', character and con`issufficiently dense, unified f In use also it is non-stretchi Weltsh'oe manufacture, l r

heating or conditioning it but yet spread- Stable and tough while yetsufciently liable and yielding to be comfortable to the oot of thewearer. While I disclose and claim hereecies, the main body of thepiece, for genera purposes, and as covered by the broader claims herein,may coni s1st of orcontain iller material, preferablyA of the lplastickindsor compositions set forth in my various Iplastic filler. PatentNo.-

832,002, dated september-e5, 1906; 855,868, -Y

dated June 4,1907 and sub referred to. The numerous patents and con-lsequent patents, v and the copendmg 'filler applications alreadyl jcurrent applications above mentioned dis'- close a wide variety offshoefiller materials-,jf-

mostly plastic ,and moldable, soi'ne normally f Sticky, SOmerequiringgheatbr othertreab' ment to become sticky or adhesive,sogieJieng/n granular,

' melting pieces so that they inherently stable, coherent, and cohesive,others not so, some being granular,'others not and so on to meet allsituations of the shoe filling art. The chief of said fillers is thespreadable one composed mainly of residuum of petroleum or othermeltable or plastic binder, intermixed with ound cork or othercomminuted material. ll these fillers were previously made and shippedin bulk to the shoe factory and there reduced by or otherwise to ashapeless but spreadable mass to be laid inthe shoe-bottom with aspatula as a mason lays mortar with a trowel. My present inventioncontemplates the useof an of the foregoing fillers, but in a radicallydi erent manner and embodiment. Instead of a shapeless mass and indeniteVolume, the filler is sheeted or molded and compressed into coherent,granular units of standardized vshape and volume adapted, as articleslof manufacture, to fill the general run of shoes, so as not to needcutting and trim--` ming for each individual shoe, each unit having thepredetermined volume suitable for filling a single shoe-bottom cavity.The shiftability or spreadability of this unit is held in check orinoperative in the standardized do not stick to each other or changeshape or character, but are readily transported and remain neutral toeach other and to surroundings until used, whereupon the inherentspeadability becomes or is made active and is then relied upon mainlyfor the yfinal automatic fitting of the piece or unit to the cavity,preferably accomplished by pressure, preferably the levelling pressure.My invention is intended for Welt shoes and McKay shoes, butparticularly the latter. It has heretofore been considered impracticableto make McKay shoes with a spread or plastic-laid filler, but my presentinventionmakes this practicable. T e unit or piece is made ofpredetermined dimensions different from those of the cavity beingthicker than the cavity depth and less in area than the cavity area, andtherefore capable of being spread after being placed in the shoe-bottomto the shape and to the reduced thickness and increased area requiredfor substantially filling said cavity to the extent commonly required byMcKay shoe manufacturers, and to at least theyextent as practiced andunderstood b said shoe makers as filling the bottoms o McKay shoes.These units are first made in a large sheet fabric or layer which isflexible, Waterproof, moldable, dense, durable, coherent andself-sustaining for shipping and handling. In other words it containssuch shoe filler characteristics as are possessed by the particularvariety of shoe filler used, and in addition thereto it is in a sheet orfabricated layer having the durable, handleable qualities necessary forcommercial requirements while preserving said filler characteristicsdormant but ready for instant use when required for the shoe fillingoperation. Then at the filler manufactory it is subdivided into theaforesaid units or distinct, individual, standard pieces, entirely readyfor subsequent use individually and in quantity at the shoe factory.Preferably one side, or it may be both sides of the plastic unit orabove fabricated layer piece has a supporting, protecting, orshape-retaining layer, as set forth in further detail and duly claimedin my application 133,506 filed September 3, 1926. If such a cover layeris on one side only, the' other side is preferably dusted, impregnated,or dulled'with various powders, dry fibrous materials, ground cork orthe like, pressed into or incorporated on and embedded into the surfaceof the plastic layer sufficiently to protect it in being handled,transported and until its time of use for filling the shoes, andconstituting a resurfacing of the unit or piece as more fully set forthand claimed specifically in my application Ser. No. 183,302, filed April13, 1927 In any case, the sticky layer, or the spreadable layer offiller material, is so protected, constructed, or related that it, orthe piece or filler article of which it is a part, is capable of beinghandled integrally and placed as an integral, self-maintaining piece inthe shoe cavity. It is then spread as stated. It is capable of stickingin place as a piece with its own inherent stickiness or may containspecial external adhesive, and in either case the stickiness may betemporarily held inactive. 'Ihe method of use in certain respects notedabove is contained in my copending applications Ser. No. 210,558, filedAugust 4, 1927 and Ser. No. 242,085, filed December 23, 1927.

When the main body of filler material is enclosed by outside protectorsor covers, I preferably provide a considerable looseness or slightinstability of the inner granular layer of cork or other comminuted bodymaterial. The mixture of comminuted body material and binderconstituting the plastic filler mixture is sheeted between hot rolls' orotherwise reduced to the desired thin layered condition justas it islaid or delivered between the webs of paper, paper-like material, orother fabric, and then whenA cooled the composite layer or more or lesssoft and pliable sheet may be compressed to a firmer, strongerconsistency. The binder and cementing agent of the granular mass bindssaid mass together and also-binds the mass and the paper together as oneWhole laminated structure. This pad-like sheet is then died into thesmall pieces required, which may be of almost any shape desired. As thespreadability of the piece is relied upon for the complete, perfectfilling of the shoe-bottom cavity, it is not necessary that the shape ofthe piece should conform to the shape of the cavity.

Instead of a laminated piece in the sense of having one or more separatelayers of paper'or other sheeted protector,'the standardized piece maybe, and preferably is, made as a single, substantially homogeneouslayer. I have found asphalts especially advantageous for this purpose. Ihave found that such a homogeneous piece consisting solely of blownasphalt i. e. consisting of residuum of petroleum of the asphaltic baseytreated until it is substantially saturated with oxygen or at leastuntil its character is changed into permanent flexibility or pliabilityso as to eliminate its natural brittleness by heilig toughened byoxygenating treatment to the extent known by the name of blown asphalt;has remarkable and unexpected advantages in carrying out my invention.Such a piece isnon-sticky externally as an article of manufacture,softens and readily becomes spreadable and under the sudden high heattreatment .hereinafter explaiued,becomes permanently pliable when thuslaid in the shoe bottom, never becomes liable to bunch, is very stronglyadherentto leather, so that the blown asphalt layer can never shift inthe 'shoe bottom, is not responsive so as to soften under any heat towhich the shoe would be exposed in use, is tough and durable beyond theordinary life of the shoe, needs no backer or strengthening element as afiller component within or on the piece, is cheap, without waste inmanufacture and use and is always clean. The Wax tailings binder of myprevious patents is of a paraffin base, low melting, sticky and'unchangeable, and has as one of its most valuable characteristics anoily nature which makes the material very tractable by not sticking tothe heated laying tool, and therefore is readilyand easilyv applied tothe shoe-bottom. On account, however, of its low melting nature, it hasalways had a tendency to bunch and therefore a number of my patentshaveto do withvarious restraining agents whose purpose has beenv to makethe low melting element li'rm or altered by the pasty restrainer afterlaying,y

` so as not thereafter to be so liable to shift or be heat responsive.Asphalts, on the other hand, particularly those derived from petroleumresiduum of a bituminous base, -set more permanently, but have a strongtendency to smouch or stain, and, lacking the oily paraffin-like nature,cling or stick to the iller knife, so'that in the filler, as heretoforemade and used, it was impracticable and in fact impossible to use thisclinging, smouching asphalt. Butby having the illerdelivered to theoperator in a fully finished, predetermined piece, vrequiring simply tobe placed in the shoe-bottom hot an then simply pressed down and spreadoutwardly, as will be better understood from later disclosures, there isno longer any danger of smouc-hmg and staining, inasmuch as the operatordoes.

not dip a iowing mass and hence cannot drop renheit melting point, orthereabouts, and two particles therefrom, and the clinging tendency,under the method hereinafter set forth, becomes an advantage instead ofa disadvantage. Asphalt materials can be purchased of a far greatervariety than wax tailings and having a higher melting nature, greatertenacity, and flexibility, possessing a denser, more viscous body, or inother words, they give to the filler piece greater body and bindingcapacity in conjunction with fibrous or granulated body materials.Because of their high melting point, a filler mixture of bodymaterialand these dense-body asphalts of 180-200 Fahrenheit meltingpoint could not be used in mass in a kettle or usual filler apparatus asnow done with present plastic fillers because it wouldexpose theoperator to an unbearable heat and-heat conditions absolutely impossiblefor him to endure day after day in his regular work 'in' the shoefactory. The 35 objectionable heat and the greater muscula forcewhich'would be necessary in preparing, applyingand manipulating the samein the usual hand operations, renders such use of this desirablematerial in the old mass-embodiment and old method impossible.

For best results I use an oxygenatedasphalt or blown asphalt, as it isknown in the market, (which is an asphalt derived from residuum ofpetroleum) of'about 180-200 Fahrenheit melting point, and add theretounder proper luxing or mixing heat (which, because of the mechanicalforce of the power mixed, need not be nearly as high as said meltingpoint) finely decimated woody matter vsuch as cork, sawdust, charcoal orany vegeta.

blown asphalt is an especially rubber-like and leather-like pitchymaterial.` By subjecting this to pressure and especially rollingpressure, I secure such degree of compactness as is desired. Wood dust,powdered minerals, and powdered fibrous matter,o ne or all, added, givea still'stiifer product when the. whole is sheeted into the finishedarticle. The ingredients are mixed to the consistency of a flexiblemass, consisting approximately of binder onev part'in bulk, which isprincipally'blwn asphalt of 180'200 Fah parts in. bulk of the fine bodymaterial, and then sheetedbetween rolls and layers or webs of wet canvasto the desired thickness. This hot and otherwise semi-sticky mass 'isreadily l sheeted, controlled'and manipulatedjbetween 1 the wet surfacesof the two canvasilayers, which cause it quite readily to congeal'asitis 1 exposed to the cold moisture and ,the atmosl phere. Whenwithdrawn from-th'wet can-"frati 1o ti vas, the sheeted layer is in acompact form which can then be subjected to further rolling pressure.The outside surfaces are now no longer sticky but can be handled withimpunity. Furthermore the second treatment has given the outside a thinbut tough and relatively hard skin of almost clear binder. It is thencut or died into the particular shape chosen for the standard fillerpieces in quan- At the shoe factory the operator has a small hot plate,gas or electric, which he keeps at a high heat. He takes two, three, ormore spreading knives or spatulas, accordingr to his speed, places onefiller piece on each knife, and lays the knives with their blades flaton the high-heat hot-plate. The filler piece is very quickly brought toa readily spreadable condition. The operator then takes a shoe in hisleft hand, bottom up, lifts the first knife with his right hand, turnsit over so as to bring the knife on top with the piece suspendedtherefrom over the bottom cavity of the shoe, and instantly places thepiece and spreads it in the'shoe cavity. He then puts another piece onsaid knife and places it on the hot plate as before, takes up the secondshoe, the second knife and its now melted piece, and repeats thereversal process and spreading operation. He then places a fresh pieceon this now empty second knife and puts it on the hot plate, takes thethird knife and melted piece .and fills the third shoe. And so on,rapidly and with extreme ease, neatness and accuracy. If the operator isextremely rapid he may keep five knives, for instance, in use; if he isslow, two knives, for example. This all depends on the time required formelting a piece. By reason of myl process or method, the high heat isnot destructive of the piece. The dry piece does not come in directcontact with-the high heat as the cold or cooled knife is between thehigh heat plate and the piece, and althoughthe knife, being quite thin,very quickly attains substantially the same high heat as the plate, theshort interval of less heat has permitted the dry piece to become moistor melted against the knife and hence self-protecting against burning orcharring. Also the outer skin, as stated, is practically clear binderand hence at once responsive to the high heat. But my method insuresagainst charring even though some granules of the granulated cork-yA orother readily burned body material should happen to be'in or on thesurface of the piece. The asphalt, even if of thesame low meltingquality as the slippery, oily parain-base wax tailings previouslymentioned,- and particularly if of the blown asphalt character, andstill more particulary if of the high melting point grade of asphaltmentioned, has not only` an absence of said slippery character whenmelted, but has enough tackiness or adhesiveness to cling to the knifesufficiently 'to A further refinement of this filler piece fwhich I havelast explained, resides in employing in the binder divergent elementswhich are reluctant to mix or coalesce with each other. For example, theresiduums or suitable by-products of a parafiin base can l be easilyselcctedwith a different degree of l penetration from the residuums ofan asphalt base. Although both are derived from petroleum, yet thosevarieties from the paraffin base are usually oily, as already stated,and especially if such as petrolatum is used, whereas the availablematerials from the asphalt base lack this greasy quality and are notslippery but are dense, tough and tacky when melted, as alreadyexplained, and therefore only slightly penetrative and reluctant tocoalesce with the parafiinbase elements mentioned. Likewise I selectbody materials which are widely divergent in ab- Sorptive properties.For instance ground cork, palm fibres and various other similarmaterials are not absorptive, or only slightly so, whereas sawdust,leather dust, wood pulp andwarious other filler materials are highlyabsorptive. Accordingly these filler materials of divergent absorptiveproperties are mixed in accordance with the selection and proportions ofbinder materials so as to cooperate with the selection made ofpenetrative and non-penetrative elements aforesaid. Thebinder iscompounded as aforesaid for spreading purposes and to make it easier forthe operator. The petrolatum, using this as the best illustration so farmentioned, being finely distributed among the finely distributed stickyelement, (asphalt) ,controls and lowers the melting point and likewisegives a smooth, i

easy, immediate spreading to the filler, and then at once the obsorptiveelement in the body material withdraws from the binder the f softerelement, i. e. lower melted element, from the binder by absorption,leaving the higher melting or stiffer setting element substantiallyalone as the final binderto stiil'en and render firm the set layer withall its natural or unmodified stiffness. Instead of petrolatum, variousoils, greases or fats or combinations thereof may be used. The object isto introduce with the asphalt any of these which aid spreading, lower orcontrol the melting point and are averse to mixing with the asphaltelement in the sense of coalescing with it, and which therefore remainas such, free to enter or be absorbed into the absorptive portion of thebody material as leave the denser, sticky soon as the ller layer ismelted or brought to a highly loosened condition so as to permit the nowhighly uidified, greasy element to element and disappear more or lessinto e absor tive sawdust or the like. The extent of its isappearanc'e'diferences in penetration, or in' other words,

with different capacities or tendencies for being absorbed. Thebodymaterials likewise may be selected with a wide variety of derees ofabsorptive capacities. Hence it will e readily understood that thefiller piece can be balanced according to the' preference .of the trade.

I have thus explainedthe above ht length to make plain the new princi lewhi introduced into the manu acture of these iiller pieces. To stillfurther enhance the speed and effectiveness of the lling processA 'withthe filler pieces now bein explained` I introduce into the fllermeans orpromoting a mechanical or chemical loosening or one which is bothmechanical and chemical. For example, the simplest means is to fill the'absorptive body particles with 4water before mixing them into thefiller, (as claimed in my copending a lication Ser. No. 211,157,

In such case the'water petrolatum, for example, 0r the entrance of anyother element of the binder, and-at the same time the high heat in thelaying process which melts the ller layer for spreading suddenly turnsthe water into expansive and almost explosive steam which mechanicallyloosens the'iiller mass as the water expands rand the steam seeks toleave its confinement. Preferably the water ischarged with gas producingchemicals such as sulphate of soda, carbonate of ammonia and the like,which under the action of the heat, generate gas or .produce expansionin addition to the steam -Sudden and effective layer because of its thelayer,

of the water, thereby The great heat alone however without thesechemicals tends to produce gas in ,the filler er, which loosens byexpanding, and puffs up so it spreads more easily, and thereafterbecomes a better cushion in the finished shoe-bottom. This ex ansion o'rloosening causes a -separation of t efller particles and elements whichgreatly facilitates the work depends upon the speed of the operator,the"` degree to which the piece is melted, and the relative proportionsof the various elements.

I have.

producing a still more .A oosening of the filler.

sudden effect on the bindbe erlyunder the spreadin *movement of hisknife or hand tool. A 'urther application of additional loosening mediamay be in the form of dry powders sprinkled into the filler as it isbeing sheeted, such as powdered alum, carbonate of ammonia, sulphate ofsoda, sulphur, anything which has water ofv crystallization, sodiumchloride, etc. 'or-these may be introduced with the water or stored inthe absorptive'body material in the form of liquids by themselves.4 Inany case they melt and puff up or loosen because of the gas i; e.gaseous or expansive condition or steam produced by the heat so thatthey become eX- pandin media for loosening purposes under the actlon ofthe high heat when the piece is softened and rendered easily flowable orspreadable. The purpose is to bring about the spreading condition assuddenly as ossible so as to avoid prolonged heating (it eingdesirableto avoid as much heatin as possible due to the fact that it isvery hig heat) and at the same time to use loosening methods andmaterials, which materials will cease to function as soon'as the :filleris laidpthereby leaving the filler in its intended tough, dense, stii'and tenacious condition. Moreover,the removal of the water-stop or otherbarrier vfrom the body material, as stated, and the sudden expansion andporouscondition opens the way for `absorption of thesofter portion ofthe binder, the petro'latumfor example, and accordingly ha'rdenin andsti enin of the laid piece in the shoe ottoni. Broaly stated, anyebullient material, by which .I mean anything that will cause the layerto bubble or to expand and become more spreadable, is inromotes thesubsequent eluded within the meanin of the word loosen- U ing. A ny ofthe materia s mentioned may be used wet or dry in the filler and with orwithout water or liquid in the body material. For example the carbonateof ammo-nia breaks I'down under heat to make gas all through the filler.Sulphur combines with the asphalt.

and liberates gas. I intend to cover broadly the liberation of as byheat or chemical reaction as one of tIie ways of loosening lthe filler.As already stated, the binder, although preferably of the very highmelting point mentioned, may beof alower melting point, and preferablythe asphalt is always used althou h preferably wax tailings (paraffinbase ma be used and-may be modified y'softer is used with 1t, but anasphalt l' v 'v me ting gums, the wide range of which-will apparent from'-my. previous patents.

Blown asphalt is elastic and when-1t melts itbecomes slowly Huid, oritsl viscosity. changes gradually vunder heat. This makes it icling'better to the-knife even though melted,

which isan advantage relied upon for certain purposes, as alreadyexplained. I `have thev body material-'carry absorbed water,

already explained the.. advantage of having which, when converted intosteam, leaves the filler mass porous. O11 the other hand, the fillermaterial may be made porous originally and provided with starch or anymucilaginous material so that in the shoe factory the piece may berendered slippery an'd'spreadable by simply being dipped in hot water(this method being covered in my application Ser. No. 242,085 filedDecember 23, 1927). rl`he desirable porosity may be secured in manyways, the simplest being by putting very little of the tenacious binder(asphalt) in with the comminuted body material so that, because of itsstrong tenacity, it will, ,when distended under the sheeting process,hold onto the body particles and yet become attenuated enough to leavepores or minute cavities all through the piece. The piece may be made asfirm or rigid as desired for handling and shipping and its spreadabilityactive or always present, or dormant, inoperative or inchoate to bedeveloped in use at the moment of laying. vMoreover, the preferredhighheat piece, as distinguished from the coldlaid piece or the low-heatpiece, is brought quickly to readiness for spreading, must be thenspread at once, and sets immediately. Asphalt is tough and in connectionwith the comminuted binder material can be spread or forced to yieldunder strong pressure but yet will cling to the body particles becauseof its tenacious grip, tensile strength .and fine subdivision.

The sulphur permits the. further advantage of toughening bysemi-vulcanizing the mass and at the same time aiding the porousfeature. The asphalts, hydro-carbons or such suitable mineral substancesas have a high melting point are then employed or their melting pointmay be raised tothe proper firmness by adding materials to bring themelting point to the degree necessary for the semi-vulcanizingmentioned. For-example, to the fluidly heated asphalt or compound, aproportionate amount of powdered sulphur or other finely powderedmineral substance or substances such as slate, talcum, soapstone,plaster of Paris, Paris white, chalk, or lime are added and the mixtureheated to about 320-350 Fahrenheit, the duration varying for heating andsemi-vulcanizing according to the fluidity and the amount and kind ofvulcanizing agents, as is well known in connection with vulcanizing. Theprocess with sulphur at 320 Fahrenheit is slow, but as the heating iscontinued, the liquid becomes pasty or the thickness of paste.

' When in this condition I add powdered cork,

wood, charcoal or other similar' vegetable, animal or mineral matter, tosaturate or fill the hot partially vulcanized paste to a suitablecondition in which it can be sheeted into layers between cooled rollsand formed into the standardized filler pieces mentioned. For lightnessand cheapness, ground, coarser grains of all kinds of vegetable mattersuch as brans from cereals may be added or used as body material, groundbark, in fact anything which gives bulk without undue weight. Groundasbestos may be used. These vfiller pieces are flexible, stable, orrubber-like, uninfluenced by ordinary conditions of heat, and are lightin weight, waterproof, unchangeably flexible, cohesive, non-bunching,porous in the sense of leather, non-heating or nonsweating to the footin use, and durable without becoming unduly dense and hard. Asphalts andhydrocarbons are non-oxidizing and permanent as binding agents andremain so even when modified by resins, waxes, oils, and gums (of thekinds in my patents). The degree of permanent stickiness of the basicmaterial is varied according to the preference of the trade, butpreferably is deadened to a consistency so that when cold the massresembles more or less a well compounded rubber mass, but not astenaciousalthough firm,-

pliable, plastic, bendable, and yet porous as stated and'otherwisesuitable for footwear in the respects noted, as well as for the purposeof cutting, packaging, shipping, storing and the various processes ofhandlin factories. In the process of sheeting, the surface is preferablyprovided with indentations, small corrugations, or depressions toconstitute gripping sur-face and to hold or aid in holding cement or thelike for uniting the parts in the shoe-bottom in case such a fillermaterial is used as is not suliiciently' adhesive in and of'itself.Whenever a more resilient or elastic body is required, I add cottonseedoil, rapeseed, linseed or other vegetable oils whether of a drying or anon-drying nature,

their combination and'subsequent quasi-vul canization being accomplishedin the vulcanizing treatment of the asphalt materials as alreadydescribed. The presence of the oils renders the filler mass moreresilient, and the amount of the powdered woody, or other bodyingredients cooperates to increase or retard the resiliency of thesheeted filler mass. By adding bituminous ingredients which flux withand within the vulcanizable base-forming portion of the binder massftherubber qualities and consistency of the filler' are controlled so as toeffect a so-called semi-vulcanin shoe ized condition or partiallyvulcanized condition. This partial vulcanization may also beaccomplished by a milder treatment as to' heat and the lesseraddition'of sulphur or other vulcanizing agents. I am distinguishingfrom real-or full vulcanization; the effect is rather a transformationof the heated mass to a more eic'acious, pastv nature and condition,resulting in a superior, highly flexible, insulating, water-repellent,light mass at a low cost. The presence of the gas fumes of the sulphurduring the prolonged process of heating is the cause of the heated pastebecoming porous and sluggishly fluid.

Although becoming more paste-like anda more efficient binding agent,cause ofthe sulphur, becomes suiiciently fluid at the stated heat toadmit the dry, woody, filler body in a most complete manner, but,because of its partially vulcanized condition, without penetrating intoor being absorbed by the body forming powders. When cooled the mass istherefore uniformly compact, tenacious and light, even though no longerfibres have been added. -Whenever longer fibres or coarser comminutedbody material is added, the sheeted filler is of course correspondinglystronger and tougher. My invention in general which is being set forthin this part of this application is new in employing high heat. Thishigh heat feature of the process is two-fold. First, in

conditioning the filler at the start it calls for materials which wouldnot condition in the present filler machines in use today, but requirehigher heat thanthe boiling point of water. Second, the high heat isrequired' again for linal service to expand spreading and to releasemoisture or gas to bubble and raiseor loosen the components ofthe piecemomentarily. l The high heat at the start makes the material rubbery ortougher and more heat resisting, and the final conditioning it givesspeed, simplicity and cleanliness. The speed is not merely in connectionwiith the laying or the work of the operator but is in connection withthe further progress of the shoe. The piece being of a nature requiringto receive its heat quickly and strongly, parts with it almost assuddenly. The high -heat also by my method is so concentrated, beingconfined to the small piece, as distinguished from a large bulk or massof filler in a large machine as heretofore, that the operator is notannoyed with the heat, as he is not obliged to endure a large area ofheat radiation, and, because` of the high heat arrangement as alreadyexplained,

'it will be evident that no waste occurs as there is no plastic massleft at the end of the day to dry out and be spoiled, and all thenecessity for tempering the filler and other `present day skilledrequirements. are eliminated. The high heat involves temperatures andmaterial-conditioning that range beyond the boiling point of water, asdistinguished from the temperatures in the moderateheat treatmentheretofore common in shoe filler practice, which range below the,boiling point ofwater. The viscosityof the high heat materialsmentioned, especially the blown lasphalt, makes it practically toconcentrate a {ilm of this material on the outer surfaces of the fillerlayer when-it is being sheeted be tween the wet sheets which act tocondense it into ahardened, durable skin or film on the surface as itcools and contracts. --Likewfise this kind Yof binder. and-5 again.

the binder, be fl and loosen the elements of the filler piece for easyvfact of any other kind, may

I: mention'.

particularly the blown asplialt,\develops a uidity under the high heattreatment which produces a superior stickiness or quick, powerfuladherence to the innersole.as Well as to the iller piece-elements whichis of great advantage in 'the application of the filler piece. Thestrong tenacity of'this high melting binder, also as alreadyexplained,makes it possible to have an excess of body material. as lcompared withprevious hot fillers', and thereby produces a mealy or porous layerbetween the concentrated or condensed outer skins of the binder justexplained. The mechanical advantages of this have already beenexplained. In the eyes of the trade the great advantage of this is inthe production of a much lighter weight filler. This totalconstructionzprovides for great ease in application and a finalcompacting together or both body and binder materials into a fillerlayer in a shoe which is non-shiftable, non-bunching, permanentlyiexible, tough and water- -resistant Another object'and advantage of theasphalt type of filler is that it can-be usedl in connection with theGerman Ago process of making shoes as used in theMichalk apparatus,'andit can be used in the Bresnahan compo system, Vwhich have recently goneinto usein the manufacture of shoes in this country. Both these systemsdepend largely upon cementing the portions of the innersole, upper andouter sole which come at the bottom of the shoe, and use an acetonecement. My asphalt type of filler, as herein .set forth, is not solublein acetone, whereas the ordinary commercial shoe fillers of the presentday cannot be used with these recent systems because theirbinderdissolves under the influence of the acetone and therefore theyrun, smear and stain. The variations as to workable quality andconsistency previously mentioned ltend'to-render the fillery piecessofter, more pliable, and to some extent conformable, when subjected toadownu 1rd pressure during'the levelling process subsequent to the layingandsettmg of the filler in the shoe-bottom.

The scope of my filler material and vstandardized units or pieces willthus be seen to be very large in its selectionv and useof ingredients sothat the Vfiller pieces 1ay,fif dc- Asired, possess qualities which`render them self-adhesive by spreading or yself-"adhesive when subjectedto a. vhot searing contact j ust 'i before they are laid and setagainstthe shoebottom. Even though made extremely stable,

' the pieces have the advantage of conforming to the varying depthsalways foundin shoefbottom cavities so 'as to conform to the ldownwardpressure mentioned in connection with the shoe-bottoming process. -Thelfiller piece of any of the kinds thus far or on one side, or bothsides, asphalt `or other mentioned or in have throughout any of thekinds mentioned which are capable knicked or compressed or otherwiseshaped. of being quickened into active stickiness at The pieces arereadily softened. They con the time of application to the shoe-bottom,tain within their structure means for selfand then, by being subjectedto a sudden heat adhesion. Also preferably they contain or to whateverrefreshing or quickening inmeans of the kind mentioned above such as fluence their particular nature calls for, mucilaginous elements, plasterof Paris or caused to stick to the shoe-bottom and if the like, forself-firming or toughening while f spreadable they may be caused therebyto they set and also they can readily be so made spread under thelevelling pressure. Ashoethat this continues andf'improves while inbottom filler piece made as above stated their placed positions afterthey have set. throughout or solely of blown asphalt has The sheetedmaterial may readily be made the advantage of permanent flexibility andof a predetermined firmness or stiffness pliability or non-brittlenessand durability which is not changed, except temporarily for when laid inthe shoe-bottom, and as a piece laying and manipulation, by any actionin before laying is non-sticky and handleablc the compound under theinfluence of the heat without external protector. Certain species or hotwater treatment at the time of use, but

are in my application Ser. No. 228,236 filed is merely softened to ayielding or formative Oct. 24, 1927. As already explained, the fillerextent, but almost at once, after having been piece is made so as to beexternally non-sticky laid and molded 01- mnipulated under the forhandling and transportation. The lehand of the operator, returns to saidcondifreshing influence therefore will act7 as a part tion ofpredetermined firmness or stiffness. solvent or softener for thissurface and pref- The practical embodiments of -my invenerably is ofsuch a nature, as already mention are almost numberless, but as thepieces tioned, as will disappear soon by evaporation as such, in theircommercial appearance, look or 'otherwlse after the shoe has been made.about alike, I Show, in the following draw- 90 The inert materialshasten the sulphur treatings, Simply illustrative representationsSufment in the oase 0f free lOWIlg kndS 0f ficient to add graphically tothe remaining pitches, for instance, by hastening the pastepresentationand explanation otherwise conlike consistency in the vulcanizing. To thetained hei-ein, In Said drawings, y

hot paste I may include with the powdered Figs, 1 4 are fragmentaryvertical sec- 95 @Ork dustWOOd dust 01' the lkeatapol flour, tionalviews of a typical piece, illustrating aS Set OIth OI instance in my@Opendmg aP' different details of constructionthereof; pl'lCallOIl S61'.NO. 295,342, July Q5, 1928, 5 is n edge View 0f my uer piece; and whensheeted between rolls as stated, and Fig, 6 Shows in boi-,tom plan eforepart of' cooled, will possess, in the piece form, a poe McKayshoe-bottom which has been filled rous interior. Thus the pieces areself-adheby the filler piece and method 0f filling as sive and may bemmel'Sed in hOt Water and herein disclosed, the sole having been cut theporosity Will-,allow the tapioca flour or Off from the Shoe-bottom t0reveal clearlyu starch, dextrine etc. to soften the pieces and theappearance of the laid filler with relagive aslimy, conformableadhcsiveness. The tion to the other parts after the levelling '105porosity not only aids as stated, but it absorbs operation en theshoe-bottom;

some of the water and holds the same more Fig, 7 is e vertical crossSeetionalview or less during the Succeeding COIIlSiIUCtOIl 0f throughthe bottom of a filled Goodyear welt the SllOe, aiding in the betterCOIIOIIIlatlOIl Shoe before the 501e is laid;

of the parts on the lasts, under the levelling 'Fig- 8 is a Sectionalview similar to 110 pressure, hammering, etc. and permitting 7 of afilled McKay weltbottom before refoldng at the edge without needingundue ceiving the sole; and

force. The sulphate of soda, alum and muci- Fig. 9 is a, Side viewpartly broken away laginous elements, when used, unite with the of anelectric hot plate, spatula and filler plaster of Paris, hydrauliccements, etc. when piece, to illustrate one method of using the used, toimprove the firm character of the set filler piece herein set forth.

mass in the shoe-bottom. Referring to the foregoing drawings, the Thisform 'of my broad invention isadvanfiller piece 1 shown in Fig. 1comprises a tageous in that it can be sheeted to any reacentraplasticintermediat'e layer 2 of spreadsonable thinness or thicknesswithout any able, plastic, compressible shoe filler material 120supporting layers, can be died out into and top and bottom covers orsupporting laypieces having the compactness of leather, ers or carriers3, 4 which may be of any the new binding agent supports the layer inkind Yof fabric previously mentioned, as its determined shape so that itcan be handled paper, textile webs or the like, which species etc. andyet can be applied in a softened conis duly claimed in'my cogendingapplication dition by the operator wi hout the aid of any Ser. No.133,506, filed eptember 3, 1926, machine. The pieces, if necessary, canbe of which the present appllcation is 1n part skived or molded orotherwise mechanically a continuation. Fig. 2 shows the piece madetreated. If skived the edges can -be folded with one supporting layer 4of the kind just like other substances and the pieces can be mentionedand atop Vprotectlng surface 5 of 130 powdered soapstone, talc, or likeinert powl; dered material, as mentioned in the aforesaid fcopendmgapplication, or any of the crust forming ingredients mentioned in myapplication Ser. No. 183,302 led April 13, 1927. Fig.` 3 is a similarview illustrating .apiece 1 made without a separate cover piece or layersuch'as presented in Figs. -1 and 2, but of the kindvheretoforeexplained in whichjthe entire iece is composed of relatively homogeneousller material having a mere skin or thin,`

tough external surface 6,7. This surface may be secured in/agnariety ofways, and

' preferably consists of the binder. itself conp' centrated or condensedinto a hardened,l

durable skin or film for protecting the piece as an article ofvcommerce.Whenmthis surface or skin is composed/of a portion of a binder madewholly or in part of asphalt residuum of petroleum, it -is'broughtto thefor making thesheet and the pieces, sub-f sequently died therefrom. Thepressure coupled with the chilling effect of the wet canvas and thefurther cooling effect of the surrounding atmosphere, result in giving afiller layer the desired protective skin or tough surface which, assoon'as' cold, becomes non-v sticky and readily handleable. This surfacemay be indented as indicated at8 Fig. 4 to Ahold cement when desired,'or to give a sure gripping' surface against the leather or can- -vasoftheshoe-bottom. Said surface 8 mayi be made by the-canvasitself as. vthepiece takes on the roughenedappearanc'e 'made by vor it may be made morepronounced by being vsubje'ctedfto molding surfaces especially jchosenfor that purpose.; In addition, the surface may besprinkled externallywith crust formingmaterials as indicated at 9-Fi'g.

' 5. These may be of the kinds shown'` at'5 Fig. 2 or may be finelyanulated/ cork or other fibrous, non-absor nt materials, or

both. In` order to illustrate'the comminuted material YI haveexaggerated the granules out of their true proportion as indicated at 10which may be takenV to represent granules of cork or wood dustror any pfthe comminuted body materials already mentioned ablychosen so as to havesome w ichjare porous or absorbentand others non-absorbent and lbetweenthese.. are pores 11. vp The' relav tively spongy, porous, mealyinterior, al-

-ready explamed, results from the choice of materials and the method Vofmanufacture as pointed out, whereby the pieceiis light and yet tough.lShoe filler-is Asold by the pound? .cheaper to the shoe manufacturer.

ing ofthe shoe filler, thus extended, to the all the 'irregular spacesbetween the sole and f the impression of the weave of the ':a-nvas,\

a welt shoe, and which, because of its better and the shoe trade isaccustomed to reckon the cost bythe dozen pairs of shoes, called a case,so that thelighter the filler is the i Hence this' element of lightweight is an important advantage and an important factor in theinvention. A

As already stated, the'filler piece may be of any suitable shape. Beingspreadable it' does not need to conform, as made, to the shoe-bottomcavity.v In fact no two cavities are exactly alike in shape, which isone reason that it is unnecessary and in fact not advisable that :thefiller pieces should have the same shape as-the cavity. Another reasonis that the full efficiency ofthe ller piece is only developed throughthe spreading movement ofthe particles on each other. In Fig. v

6 I have shown a filler piece in fully spread positionin a McKay shoe,having chosen for'. thispurposea piece rovided with a cover 3 of theshape in m application Ser. No. 192,076, May 7, 1927. If this'igureshowed a welt shoe, the filler material would-be conyfined within thewelt seam,but in the manufacture of a McKay shoe the spreading of.the'filler material'under the levelling pressure is lsuiiicient to:fill all the small open vspaces formedfby the folds or pleats 12. The

pressure of the levelling machine squeezes the plastic filler layeroutward, as shown in Fig. 6 u nti/l stopped bythe row of stitches 13. Itwill/be understood that before the sole was removed fromthe shoe-bottomshown in Fig.

6 the stitches 13 held the sole (not shown),

so thatno filler'. coull'descape beyondthe stitches 13' notwithstandingthe severe pressure of the levelling operation. This spreadboundaries ofthe stitch line 13 so as to fill the upper formed by the pleats 12, hasto take place, if at all, after the sole has/beensecired on the bottomoft e'shoe, or, in other words, [through fthe pres ure of the leveller.This 1s a new McKay structure made possible for [the rst time `by mynewfiller. piece and 'position as shown in section at 17. .-Fig. 8 shows laMcKay -welt y( which may be preferably` summarized as a McKaystructurehav- Ving a false welt 18 fastened fiat down upon .prefery theflat vinturned upper 14) which results in giving a vfairly well definedshoe-bottom cav- -ity 19 of approximately the same depth as in definedcavity boundaries and absence of the usual pleats 12, and open spacestherebetween (as shown in Fig. 6) ,is readily filled by hand i at 2owith one of'myfiller pieces indicate and spread as indicated at y Y. p

be understood that the plate 22 is preferably rectangular and of a sizecapable of accommodating the number of knives required for keeping theoperator busy but without delaying appreciably the filler piece thereonafter it is heated and ready for use. Let itbe supposed-that the piece 1is of the highheat blown asphalt` type. The operator 'places it on theknife and then places the knife as shown in Fig. 9 with its supportedpiece down on the hot plate. Y In a moment the previously dense and moreor less rigid, hard filler is loosened by the sudden high heat. As itbegins to bubble or expand and risc because of the hot air, gas, steamor' other elements causing the ebullition, the operator quickly liftsthe knife -from its position Fig. 9 and flops it over onto theshoe-bottom as indicated at 16 Fig. 7 or at 20 Fig. 8. The sudden heathas developed the strong stickiness of the asphalt binder so as to causethe piece to cling to the knife sufficiently not to fall off or bethrown askew or otherwise escape i from the substantial control of the`operator as he flops it over into the shoe-bottom. It will be understoodthat at this instant the knife blade is at a high heat andthe fillerpiece .is also very hot and very sticky so that the operator cannottouch either knife blade or filler piece. Hence it becomes veryadvantageous that the lfillerv piece shall not readily slide on theknife. The tackiness or sticky tenacity therefore of the articularbinder mentioned constitutes an important element in rendering this typeof filler piece practical and speedy. The`moment the piece touches thebottom of the shoe cavity, the oplerator instantly brings thereupon therequired lateral spreading movement which spreads the highly plasticfiller piece from lthe dotted shape and position Figs. 7 and 8 to thelaid position there shown, properly filling the cavity and with itstopsurface levelled as required. `Almost immexfliatelyv the filler sets,and the operator repeats the pocess with the next knife, filler piece'and s oe.

This method and apparatus have been divided out and filed August 26,1929, as separate applications Serial Nos. 388,320 and 388,321.

In case the shoe manufacturer wishes to have his McKay shoes filled tothe extent shown in Fig. 6, a filler piece of the lower melting variety,as claimed. in my applicaenclosing, protecting kwebs or sheets 3, 4

spreading or squeezing out, up, down, or in, as required, and therebyconforming accurately to the differing peculiarities of each shoe-bottomautomatically under the severe pressure of the levelling machine. Inother words my invention results in producing, in an inexpensive andsimple manner, the same proper shape and evenness in a McKay shoe thathas heretofore characterized the welt shoe. The pad-like piece'allowsitself to be compressed and aligned to its surroundings, withoutrequiring any skill or attention from the operator,- as this automaticcompressing andv aligning is accomplished bythe regular levelling stepin the shoe manufacture, which is always required for molding the soleand bottom.`

I wish it understood that I do not undertake herein to set forth anyparticular preferences as to Athe shape in which the filler pieces areto be cut as it is merely necessary that they contain enough of theplastic filler material to ll the shoe-bottom according to therequirements of modern shoe manufacture. This leaves an infinite varietyof choice as to the particular shape of the -piece,from that indicatedat 3 Fig. 6 to the shape shown in my copending application Ser. No.232,279 y iiledNovember 10, 1927 Each piece whether inchoate in thelarge sheet or piece, or cut or otherwise made, as a small piece orindividual leaf, has a selfsustaining sheet-like form andself-maintaining coherency characteristic as an article ofmanufacture,`and with a capacity of expansion in area. This descriptionand definition isintended to be generic to the spreadable leaf, or layerembodiment on the one hand,`

as more fully set forth 'and specifically claimed herein, and thenon-spreadable but vyet extensible leaf, or layer embodiment on theother hand, as herein generically claimed, but claimed as a species inthe application of A. H. Avery Ser. No. 212,747 filed August 13, 1927.

As `herein shown and described, the piece expands, and preferablyspreads or extrudes, laterally outward, i. e. from the center toward andagainst the periphery of the cavity, although not necessarily, the claimherein being intended to be generic to a Astructure ness under the handsof the operator, or in other-words, it is varia-ble in area aswell ascontour because of its responsiveness to vertical pressure. The widerange or varieties of structural embodimentsof my invention is alreadyapparent from the foregoing descriptio -I have already mentioned thatthe piece is spreadable, and in the laminated embodiment at least one ofthe layers is preferably spreadable and another preferably fixed orunalterablein shape, and that other layers may be adhesive,active orlatent, but as to these various species I refer to the ap plicationswhere they are claimed as already mentioned. I use the word sheet tomean a broad expanse of material rolled or made thin, but irrespectiveof whether large l or small, and whether parallel sided ornot andwithout preference to whether it is formedY into single sizes or piecesfor individual shoes, Whereas I use the term piece in a broad anddifferent sense to mean simply a single f article adapted 'in size andquantity to the exact requirements of the shoe -in the position forwhich it is intended.

My invention is particularly advantageous in the manufacture of McKayshoes for the reasons already mentioned and also because thereby any ofmy patented types of plastic filler may be made, as an article ofmanufacture capable of shipping, handling and storage, into as thinsheets as required for McKay shoes, (not heretofore possible), while atsheet-like surface,

the same time introducing to the McKay shoe all the lwell recognizedadvantages of a plastic, moldable, self-shaping shoe: filler.-

I have already emphasized the factor 'of having standardized pieces.Each piece has a protective and supporting surface. This surface may beal separatelayer, as of paper or other sheet-like fabricated material,with a hardor soft filler interior as desired. On the other hand,instead of having a separate said surface may be in the form of acondensed, compress`ed, `v plastic skin, made by rolling or pressure orother# Wise, and theinterior left, soft Vor hard ac'- cording tocomposition. This skin may be a hardened layer of the fillermaterialitself, and this may be rendered dense by dusting, impregnating, orcoating. This latter treatment may be with inert powder or with'lour ordry absorptives 'orwith' a combination'of any of -these materials. Thepiece may have two protective surfaces, one on each side, and thesemaybe both of the separate, paper.-

like or layer type, or both of the condensed,A i

plastlc variey, or both of the hardened, coated filler type, or one sidemay beofone of these types and the other may be of anotherof theaforesaid. For instance, if the interior is fairly soft, it becomesalmost necessary to have at least one side of a tough,

sheet-like material such as tough paper or other tough fabric, and theoppositeprotective surface may -thenl be a hardened layer, of fillermaterial,although a separate cover piece would even then'b'e preferableas the soft interior of the piece must depend for its integrity upon theprotective outside surfaces, not being self-maintaining alone. Orthepiece-shaping, selfmaintaining and strength-giving element, layer, orcarrier may be internal as already pointed out.

This patent is intended to be foundational or basic in character yandaccordin ly it will be understood that awide range ofg cal and chemicalembodiments is embraced within `the scope of its claims, and that most`of the previously patented .plastic fillers l come within the range ofavailability for the plastic portion of my new filler sheet and thepieces cut therefrom. The various spe" cies are claimed in detail in thevarious applications therefor already mentioned, the

generic claims being contained herein.' l What I claim is:

1. A shoe bottom filler consisting of apiece madefat least in part oflastic material -ca'- pable of being s read by sure and being ormed in aconsolidated, co-f 'mechani- .1

owing under presi hesive unit compacted to self-si'istainingcon`sistency as a piece, said piece being of stand ardized shape and volume,as distinct from being hoppazard or fragmentary, having a a volumesuitable for lling a single shoe-botv tom cavity but greater inthickness and less in area than said cavity, and capable of vbeingcavity.

rua

spread in'fthe shoe-bottom to the shape and to lthe-reduced thicknessand the increased area required for ysubstantially lling said 11,0V

tom filler piece which has .a volume suitable for fillinggthe bottomycavity of a shoe and is greater in thickness vand less in area thanvsaidcavity and which is spreadable and adhesive 'in use but intransportation is co.VA hesive and `coherent tothe extent yof being`shape-retaining, and is tact andnon-adhesive to the extent of beingfreely handleable and capable of maintain-` durable, surface iningitsshape and integrity asa lpieceduring j \t ranspo rtation' and until thetime of use.

3. A shoe-bottom filler in the form of a piece, as an article ofvmanufacture, having a predetermined volume for filling shoe-bottom andwhich is madeat part of plastic material capable vof' being spread byflowing under pressureand is ad` a single w least in z j ioo hesiveinuse, said piece being compressegffioi ening it for handling as a piece,

stable, shape-retaining, and externally nonadhesivel under commercialconditions.

4. A shoe-bottom filler piece, which forms a predetermined unit, as anarticle of manufacture, and .is compressed, shape-retaining,non-adhesive, tough, non-stretchable, and stable, under commercialconditions, and is made at least in part of plastic material capable ofbeing spread by flowing under pressure and is adhesive in use.

5. A shoe-bottom ller piece, as an article of manufacture, having apredetermined volume for filling a single shoe-bottom, said piece beingcompressed stable and shaperetaining, externally non-adhesive, and provided with external means for stiffening the piece for handling, andwhich is made at least in part of plastic material capable of beingspread by flowing under pressure and is adhesive in use.

6. A shoe-bottom filler piece which is made at least in part of plasticmaterial'capable of being spread by owing under pressure and is adhesivein use but in transportation is cohesive and coherent to the extent ofbeing shape-retaining, and is durable, surface intact and non-adhesiveto the extent of being freely handleable during transportation and untilthe time of use, and which piece is provided with means for stifeningitfor handling as a piece.

7. An article of manufacture consisting of shoe filler embodied as ashape-maintaining piece, coherent and compressed, standardized inquantity of its filler content to the, amount required to fill theintended shoe-bottom cavity and likewise standardized to a less size andshape than said cavity, said article being self-sustaining as a piecefor transportation and storage purposes by lavng a durable andhandleable, non-sticky exterior, said piece having a spreadableinteriorl held normal- `ly dormant during said transportation andstorage. Y

8. A shoe-bottom ller piece which is spreadable and adhesive in use butin transportation is cohesive and coherent to the extent of being.shape-retaining, and isdurable, extent of being freely handleable duringtransportation and until the time of use, and which piece is providedwith means for stiffcontaining means for increasing the stiffness of thelaid filler.

9. An article of manufacture consisting of shoe filler embodied as ashape-maintaining piece, coherent and compressed, standardized .inquantity of its filler content to the amount required to fill theintended shoe-bottom cavity, and likewise standardized to a less sizeand shape than said cavity', said article being self-'sustaining as apiece and storage purposes by having a durable and handleable,non-sticky exterior, said surface intact and non-adhesive to the saidpiecev for transportation e and storage, sa1d piece being adapted to bespread in any direction required for filling the shoe-bottom cavity. l

10. An article of manufacture consisting of shoe filler embodied as ashape-maintaining piece, coherent and compressed, standardized inquantity of its filler content to the amount required to ll the intendedshoebottom cavity, and likewise standardized to a less size and shapethan said cavity, said article being self-sustaining asa piece fortransportation and storage purposes by having a durable and handleable,non-sticky exterior, said piece being spreadable in use to fill theshoe-bottom cavity and then having a self-maintaining coherencycharacteristic.

11. A shape-retaining shoe filler piece, having-a self-,sustaining formand a coherency characteristic as an article of manufacture, comprisinga layer of plastic, adhesive filler material capable of being spread byflowing under pressure.

12. A shape-retaining shoe filler piece, having a self-sustaining formand a coherency characteristic as an article of manufacture, comprisinga layer of plastic, adhesive filler material capable of being spread byowing under pressure, said iece having an exterior surface which is suciently durable, impervious, non-sticky, and handleable to maintain thepiece distinct Ias an individual piece during ordinary commercialtransportation.v

13. The herein described shoe filler, consisting ofmaterial which is atleast in part spreadable, formed into a molded and compressed, cohesive,disconnected, individual unit blended to self-supporting compactness, ofstandardized shape and volume, as distinct from being haphazard or fraentary, the unit having a volume suitable or filling a singleshoe-bottom cavity but greater in thickness and less in area than saidcavity, and adapted to be spread in the shoe-bottom to the shape and tothe reduced thickness and the increased area required` for substantiallyfilling said cavity.

14. A shoe-filler piece, taining, compact, impervious, so as to piece ina shoe-bottom, said piece being at least in part adhesive andspreadable, and comprising material in volume to ill the shoebottomcavity but less in area than the cavity area and greater in thicknessthan the cavity thickness and constructed and adapted to be spread inplace in said integral-piece condition to said cavity thickness and areain the shoe-bottom.

15. A shoe-filler piece, which is molded and compressed to aself-sustaining, dense, impervious, and cohesive condition so as to becapable of being individually handled comwhich is self-Asusand cohesivebe handled and placed as an integralv piece; in a shoe-bottom, saidpiece comprising, at least in part, adhesive, spreadable material, andhavinga predetermined volume required to fill the shoe-bottom cavity butless in area than the cavityarea and greater in thickness than thecavity thickness and constructed'and adapted -to be spread in place insaid integral-piece condition to said cavity `thickness and areain theshoe-bottom.

16. A shoe-filler piece, which is molded and compressed'to aself-sustaining, impervious, and cohesive condition 'so as to be han-'dled andplacedasan integral piece in a shoe-bottom, said piececomprising, at least in part, adhesive, spreadablemateriah and having apredetermlned volume required to ill vthe shoe-bottom cavity but less inarea than the cavity area andgreater in thickness than the cavitythickness and constructed and adapted to be spread in place in saidintegral-plece condition to said cavity thickf ness and area in theshoe-botto'm and having means on the outside fori keeping saidoutsidesubstantially dryand non-iticky prior to use.

17. As an article of manufa yture, a shoebottom filler,- having an'ormally self-sustaining, dense, molded, sheet-like form, andcontaining an expansible portion of plastic ma,J

terial capable of being spread by flowing under pressure,said-expansible portion being responsive to vertical pressure when in ashoe-bottom cavity, to spread into position between the cavity rim andthe rest-of the filling piece..

18. A shoe-filler piece ofsheet-like form, having -enclosed within itanadhesive substance capable of being spread'by flowing under pressure,and spreadable in response to pressure when in a shoe-bottomA cavity tolaterally extended position and into ad! lherent relation to theadjacent shoe-bottoml surfaces for holding the partsxtogether als a 19.A shoe-fillerpiece, of sheet-like form, comprising a layer ofpermanently plastic and adherent shoe-filler material capable of beingspread by flowing under pressure, andv .having an outer skin on at leastone side which h is substantially non-sticky. 20. A shoe-filler piecefor filling shoes, in

the form of a thin-sheeted, compacted, 'self-l sustaining and coherentleaf adapted to be handled and placed as an integral self-sustainingpiece in a shoe-bottom, said piece including filler elements and havingat least one surface resurfaced described.

21. A shoe-filler vpiece for-filling shoes, having a self-'sustainingform and predetermined volume adapted to fill an individual shoe-bottomandcapable of occupying as an b integral piece the cavity between theouter sole and the innersole, and' comprising spreadable materialsuitable -to occupy said with said vfiller elements as shoe-bottomcavity,

cavity and -provided wh a dry surface protecting means consisting atleast in part of dulling powders.

22. A shoe-filler piecefor filling shoes, having a self-sustaining formand predetermined volume adapted to fill an individual shoel bottom andcapable of occupying as an'inte-` gral piece the cavity between theouter sole` and the innersole, and comprising materialy suitable tooccupy said cavity and having at least one side normally sticky andprovided with a temporary protective means maintaining said stickysurface substantially dry for handling before use.

23. .A shoe-filler piece for filling shoes, having a self-sustainingform and predetermined volume adapted to fill an individual shoebottomand capable of occupying as an integral piece thecavity between theouter sole and the innersole, and comprising material suitable to occupysaid cavity and having at least one side normally sticky and providedwith a temporary protective means maintainingsaid sticky surfacesubstantially dry for handling before use, includinglcomm'inuted fibrouselements,

24.1 A filler piece of sheet-like form, comprising a layer of llermaterial which is plastic, spreadable and adherent to leather, and meansrenderingthe outer faces of said layer substantially dry, smooth and nonstlcky but adapted to permit the plastic layers ent.

25. An article of manufacture, consisting 'to spread and expose itsadherent constitu- `of shoe-filler embodied as a shape-maintainingpiece-containin the predetermined quani tity required for ling a singleshoe-bottom cavity, saidpiece being made at least in part of plasticmaterial capable of being spread by flowing under pressure, and beingadhesive in use andv provided yvith an external f protective surfacewhich is relatively frail.-

26.1An-article of manufacture, consisting f of shoe-filler embodied as ashape-maintaining piece containing the predetermined quantity requiredfor filling a single shoe-bottom cavity, said piece vbeing s preadableand adesive Ain use and providedwith an external protective coatingadapted to break up .and become intermingled with and incorporated intothe mass of the' filler and sodisappear as a coating in the laying-'ofthe piece. l

27. .An article of manufacture, consisting of spreadable shoe-fillerembodied as a shapevno tity required for filling a single shoe-bottomcavity, said piece being entirely composed of ller material which isspreadable in use and having its external surfaces formed of saidiillermaterial concentrated into a condensed, hardened, durable, lm-likeskin for I handling and commercial durability, but

adapted to break up when the `iiller is spread.

29. A shoe-iiller piece which is shapemaintaining and self-supportingunder commercial conditions and spreadable in use, said piece containingbinder which under the inluence of h'eat becomes porous.

:30. An article of the kind described, Which is shape-maintaining andself-supporting under commercial conditions, and spreadable in use, andwhich contains a binder which becomes ebullient under such heat as isnecessary for rendering it spreadable in the shoebottom.

31. A shoe-filler piece which is shapeinaintaining and self-supportingunder commercial conditions, and spreadable in'use,

said piece comprisingv binder and body material united to form a mealy,porous interior and condensed, tough outer skins of the binder. v

32. A shoe-filler` piece which is shapemaintaining and self-supportingunder commercial conditions, and spreadable in use, and which comprisesa binder containing blown asphalt.

' 133. A shoe-filler piece which is shapemaintaining and self-supportingunder commercial conditions, and spreadable in use, said piececomprising comminuted body material and having a high melting point (ofthe order of to 200 Fahr.) binder united in lan impervious, compressed,non-Stic and handleable piece having the volume sultable for filling asingle shoe-bottom cavity but greater in thickness and less in area thansaid oavity.

34. A shoe-filler piece which is shapemaintaining .and self-supportingunder commercial conditions, and spread'able in use,

said piece comprismg'comminuted body material and a binder containinghigh melting point asphalt mixed together and charged with means forproducing gas at the temperatures used in spreading the filler, to efecta sudden loosening ofthe filler for laying purposes.

Signed by me at'Boston,

Mass., this second day of August, 1928.

ANDREW THOMA.

